1979 F150 or F250-differences?

I'm in the market to buy a truck. I looked at a 79 F250 that has a straight six in it? So, if an F250 is an upgrade of sorts, what makes it so with a straight six in it? Why in the world would I want a six in a pick up anyway? Auto with 2WD. Looked like a Dana rear as opposed to the 9" rear. Vin#F25BLFB5426 trans K axle 23J

250s are 3/4 tons and the 300 6 is one of the best engines ever made.

I thought I saw (200 inline 6) on the for sale sign, but I have to check on that. But its just that I would expect an inline 6 on an F150 but a 250? Also, I must admit, I dont know these ratings on trucks or what they mean.

F100 like a car with big trunk. F150 1/2 ton truck F250 is 3/4 ton and F350 is 1 ton. Sheet metal much the same on 70s trucks. Main diferences are in the frame and suspension. F100 and F150 are 5 lug wheels and 350 and 350 are 8 lug. Trim is determined by : custom, Camper special Ranger Lariet and others. 300 6 was the torque base engine for many years. Got good mileage also till the added fuel injection. So you need to decide what you want or need. I have a 93 Ranger (small truck) for DD. I have 68 F250 Camper special for shows and swaps. I have a 93 F350 Crew cab for road trips and pulling my car trailer.

Ok, so the ton rating is how much the trucks suspension can handle on top of it? I guess the rear end goes to a dana 60 for the 250 whereas the 150 gets a 9"? Why is that exactly? The hubs look really hefty of the rear too. Probably due to bearing in the hubs themselves?

Originally Posted by v8shadow

Ok, so the ton rating is how much the trucks suspension can handle on top of it? I guess the rear end goes to a dana 60 for the 250 whereas the 150 gets a 9"? Why is that exactly? The hubs look really hefty of the rear too. Probably due to bearing in the hubs themselves?

It use to be that way, but the more accurate way for payload is F150=1,500lb, F250=2,500, etc. And even then, the payload rating can be higher.

As for the rear end, the Dana 60 has a 9.75" ring gear versus the 9" Ford. It's much stronger in stock form than the 9". As for the hubs, the D60 has full floating axles, which means the hub supports the weight of the vehicle and the axle only needs to support the torque loads from the engine.

Lastly, the 300 is a great engine for trucks. This is why you'll see that more in 250s than a 302.

You can go up to almost any 300 in a junk yard and put in some gas and start it up...

They're the strongest inline Ford ever made. They gave a gear driven cam, no chain, and they will give you 200K without bliking, and I've seen MANY oil leakers over the 300K mark still strong.

a 300 six will out pull any 302 v8 anytime....

Ok, I test drove it. Drove straight. Has a Dana with both wheels spinnin', a 300 inline engine, and a C6 auto. The engine is making a ticking somewhere which the seller is of course saying is "normal for that engine".....ok. Are there any normal quirks about the 300 inline 6 I should know about?


The guy said he would take $500 for it. For a truck I would use just for hauling things the car won't, doesn't seem bad. Bed is trashed from rust though.

What interchange is there between years of Ford trucks to where I can find another bed for this thing if I buy it??

Well.... Interchange body wise goes like this.

64-66

67-72

73-79

80 on up I refuse to own or speak about other than their chevy like ugliness...

Ticking on a 300 is one of two things, exhaust leak, (highly likely) and weak lifter (again highly likely)... OF course it could be any number of things but it's likely one of the two above.

$500 is a great price for a truck that will run on 4 cylinders and still pull your boat out of the water...

Either is an easy fix.